Download the Examinee Handbook!
The handbooks have the most up-to-date schedules, policies, and examination procedures. The handbook is updated for the current NPLEX administration.
Eligibility to Take the NPLEX
To be eligible to take the NPLEX, you must have completed the appropriate academic requirements at an approved naturopathic medical program (ANMP). An ANMP is a program that has accreditation or pre-accreditation from the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME) and offers a minimum four-academic-year, in-residence curriculum in biomedical science and clinical didactic studies, as well as clinical (experiential) training leading to an ND degree.
Accredited Naturopathic Medical Education Programs (ANMPs)
- Bastyr University – Washington State Campus (BU): Kenmore, Washington
- Bastyr University California – California Campus (BUC): San Diego, California
- Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine – Boucher Campus (CCNM – Boucher): New Westminster, British Columbia
- Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine – Toronto Campus (CCNM – Toronto): Toronto, Ontario
- National University of Health Sciences (NUHS): Lombard, Illinois
- National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM): Portland, Oregon
- Sonoran University of Health Sciences (SUHS), formerly Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine: Tempe, Arizona
- Universidad Ana G. Mendez (UAGM) Caguas, Puerto Rico
Previously Accredited Naturopathic Medical Education Programs (ANMPs) No Longer in Operation or Have Merged with Another Institution:
- Boucher Institute of Naturopathic Medicine
- University of Bridgeport College of Naturopathic Medicine
Eligibility to take the Part I - Biomedical Science Examination
You are eligible to take the NPLEX Part I – Biomedical Science Examination if you:
- Have completed all biomedical science coursework requirements at an approved naturopathic medical program (ANMP)
AND
- Are currently enrolled in, on an approved leave of absence, or have graduated from an ANMP. If you graduated more than five (5) years ago, contact NABNE regarding additional requirements.
Eligibility to take the Part II - Core Clinical Science Examination
You are eligible to take the NPLEX Part II – Core Clinical Science Examination if you:
- Have graduated from an approved naturopathic medical program (ANMP) within the last five (5) years.
- If you graduated more than five (5) years ago, contact NABNE regarding additional requirements.
OR
- Will graduate no later than April 30th for examination(s) taken in February and no later than October 31st for examination(s) taken in August. If this applies to you:
- NABNE must receive written pre-verification of graduation from your ANMP prior to the NPLEX administration.
- Your exam results will not be released until NABNE receives written verification of your graduation from your ANMP, no later than April 30th for an examination taken in February and no later than October 31st for an examination taken in August.
- If NABNE does not receive written verification that you have graduated prior to the deadlines stated above, results from the examination(s) you took during the current administration will be nullified.
AND
- Have passed the NPLEX Part I – Biomedical Science Examination within the past ten (10) years.
- If it has been more than ten (10) years since you passed the NPLEX Part I – Biomedical Science Examination, you are required to retake and pass the Part I – Biomedical Examination before you will be eligible to take or retake any NPLEX Part II – Clinical Science Examinations.
Eligibility to take the Part II - Clinical Elective Examinations
You are eligible to take the NPLEX Part II – Clinical Elective Pharmacology, Minor Surgery, and/or Parenteral Medicine Examination if you have:
- Met the eligibility requirements for the NPLEX Part II – Core Clinical Science Examination
- Already taken or will be taking the NPLEX Part II – Core Clinical Science Examination during the same NPLEX administration
OR - Previously passed the NPLEX Part II – Core Clinical Science Examination or the Part II – Clinical Science Exam Series
You are eligible to take the NPLEX Part II – Clinical Acupuncture Examination if you have:
- Met the eligibility requirements for the NPLEX Part II – Core Clinical Science Examination
- Already taken or will be taking the NPLEX Part II – Core Clinical Science Examination during the same NPLEX administration
OR - Previously passed the NPLEX Part II – Core Clinical Science Examination or the Part II – Clinical Science Exam Series
AND - Have met one of the following criteria:
- You have graduated from an ANMP that requires at least 220 hours of didactic training in acupuncture, and have completed at least 30 hours of clinical training
OR - You have completed at least 220 hours of didactic training and at least 30 hours of clinical training in acupuncture from an institution accredited by ACAOM, and you have submitted to NABNE:
-
-
- A transcript from the institution verifying the hours of training in acupuncture you have completed
AND - A letter from a regulatory authority stating that the training in acupuncture you have completed meets jurisdictional eligibility requirements for licensure/registration
- A transcript from the institution verifying the hours of training in acupuncture you have completed
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- You have graduated from an ANMP that requires at least 220 hours of didactic training in acupuncture, and have completed at least 30 hours of clinical training
Contact the regulatory authority in the jurisdiction in which you plan to practice to determine which, if any, NPLEX Part II – Clinical Elective Examinations you will be required to pass to become eligible for licensure/registration.
For NDs Licensed/Registered Prior to 1986
Some naturopathic physicians graduated from schools and were licensed/registered before NPLEX and the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME) were in existence. Consequently, they have never taken the NPLEX.
Because these NDs are not eligible to take the NPLEX in accordance with normal NABNE policies, the NABNE Board has established a procedure whereby it may make an exception and allow an ND who received era-appropriate education to take the NPLEX.
Both the applicant and the school must meet certain criteria before the ND will be allowed to take the NPLEX.
To be eligible to take the NPLEX under the EAE policy, you must have:
- A diploma from a four-year, in-resident naturopathic medical school or program that is currently accredited by the CNME (verified by a notarized copy of diploma)
- Taken graduate-level biomedical science coursework, such as biomedical science coursework in any post-baccalaureate program, at either a master’s or doctoral level (verified by official transcript)
- Received supervised experience/training in a clinical setting (verified by official transcript)
- Passed state, provincial, or national board healthcare licensing examinations (verified by letter from a jurisdictional licensing/regulatory authority or scores from a national examining board)
AND
- Be currently licensed in a recognized health profession that has educational and examination standards equal to those of naturopathic medicine (verified by a notarized copy of license)
- Have been practicing in a healthcare profession during a majority of the years since graduation (verified by CV and a notarized statement from a professional in the healthcare field)
- Have a state naturopathic licensing board verify that you will be eligible for licensure in that state if you pass the NPLEX.
If you have not passed the NPLEX Part I examination(s), the NABNE Board will determine if you must pass the NPLEX Part I – Biomedical Science Examination before you will be eligible to apply for and take the NPLEX Part II – Clinical Science Examinations.
You can request an Application to Take NPLEX Based on “ERA Appropriate Education”, by contacting NABNE.
Graduates of Foreign or Other Medical Schools
NABNE does not evaluate the educational equivalency of foreign medical or naturopathic programs.
To be eligible to take the NPLEX, you will need to have completed educational requirements at one of the naturopathic medical education programs currently approved by the Council on Naturopathic Medical Education (CNME). If you have graduated from a foreign naturopathic or other medical program and are interested in becoming licensed/registered to practice as a naturopathic physician/doctor in either the US or Canada (with the exception of Ontario), you should contact one of the CNME-approved naturopathic medical education programs to explore the possibility of receiving advanced standing.
For more information, contact the American Association of Naturopathic Medical Colleges (AANMC).
Licensure and Registration
Successful completion of the NPLEX examination process does not guarantee that you will be eligible to become licensed/registered as a naturopathic physician/doctor.
State and Provincial Contacts
You should contact individual regulatory authorities for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding their specific requirements for licensure/registration.
Extension of Graduation
The NABNE Board has agreed to implement a permanent policy of extending the requisite date of graduation for those who are applying to take the NPLEX Part II – Clinical Science Examinations.